In our ongoing effort to bring music to your ears, this week we're giving away two special prize packs from a long-standing Bay area band, The Mother Hips. Formed back in 1991, it's been six years since the band last released a full album. They're back with a new studio record on April 3rd called Kiss the Crystal Flake. Said singer/guitarist Tim Bluhm: "It is very different from anything we recorded in the past. You know that saying about wishing you knew then what you know now? Kiss The Crystal Flake is that coming true." To celebrate, the band is playing two record release shows - on April 6th and 7th - at The Independent. We're giving away two prize packs, each with one pair of tickets to one of the record release shows, plus a copy of the new CD and the accompanying DVD. Listen to The Mother Hips' "Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear" and enter to win below (contest ends 4/4; winner will be notified via email.)

On to this week's show recommendations. Tonight TV on the Radio play with Noisettes at The Fillmore, and Eats Tapes celebrate a record release for their album dos mutantes at Mighty. Over at 330 Ritch, Popscene presents the handsome men and sexy guitar noise of Calla.

Download "Face Shredder" from Eats Tapes' new album
Download "Bronson" from Calla's new record Strength in Numbers

There's a ton of great bands playing on Friday night, which is one of many reasons why we're puzzled that enough people purchased tickets to DJ AM's "Birthday Bash" at Mezzanine to sell the whole place out. You could see any one of these great shows instead: Maria Taylor playing songs from her brand new album Lynn Teeter Flower at Bottom of the Hill with openers Built For The Sea; Son Volt at The Fillmore with Magnolia Electric Co.; SFist favorites Ratatat at Bimbo's; a MESH Magazine party with Hey Willpower at Rickshaw Stop; or the young Brett Dennen's first of two sold out nights at The Independent. If you're in the mood to check out something you haven't heard before, The Parson Redheads are a 60's songwriter-sounding collective with dreamy harmonies, playing Hotel Utah on Friday and opening for The Mother Hips next week.

Download "A Good Start" and "Lost Time" from Maria Taylor's new album
Listen to The Parson Redheads

More show recommendations, downloads and a video, after the jump.

On Saturday you have a chance to check out Brett Dennen for free at a 2pm Amoeba in-store performance. Monday brings Lily Allen to The Fillmore, and one of our favorite new singer-songwriters Brandi Carlile (recommended if you like Patty Griffin's soar or Bonnie Raitt's soul) is at Great American. Stream Brandi Carlile's new album The Story in its entirety here before it's released on April 3rd. Also on Monday The Thermals play the first of two nights at Bottom of the Hill with Wet Confetti. We love the simple creativity of The Thermal's video for "Pillar of Salt".

On Wednesday, head to 12 Galaxies for the grim gospel of Woven Hand. Rickshaw Stop has a great lineup of Push To Talk, Ambulette (featuring the singer of the now-defunct Denali) and The New Trust.

Listen to Woven Hand
Listen to Ambulette